Afghanistan

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will advise all United Kingdom non-governmental organisations to leave Afghanistan, in view of the safety of that country.

Lord Malloch-Brown: Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) make a vital contribution to the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan. There are significant risks to working in Afghanistan, as recent tragic events have demonstrated. The travel advice provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is regularly updated and gives our best general assessment of conditions on the ground. We regularly update NGOs that have registered with our embassy in Kabul on threats to security. It is then up to them to make their own judgments regarding their operations, often in consultation with the security umbrella organisation, the Afghanistan NGO Safety Office.

Agriculture: Hill Farm Allowance

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their assessment of the future of sustainable hill farming in England following Natural England's decision to introduce environmental requirements before farmers can qualify for future payments; what is the rationale for changing from production targets to environmental targets; and what assessment they have made of the likely impact of these changes on the number of hill farmers leaving the industry.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Government are replacing the hill farm allowance with an uplands strand of the entry-level environmental stewardship scheme in 2010, which will reward upland land managers and farmers for delivering environmental and landscape benefits. An assessment of the social, environmental and economic impacts of this was prepared in 2006, which supported this decision. Testing has shown that our early proposals are accessible and workable for the vast majority of hill farmers. The Government recognise the importance of hill farming, and are committed to helping ensure that upland communities have a sustainable future. However, uplands entry-level stewardship (ELS) cannot be considered in isolation, comprising only one part of the support available to upland land managers and farmers—which also includes the single payment scheme and other schemes under the Rural Development Programme for England—and is not intended by itself to secure the future of sustainable hill farming. The Government assist by providing support for public goods that the market does not, and regional and local initiatives also have a role to play.
	The Government believe that CAP expenditure through Pillar 2 offers better value for money than Pillar 1 because it rewards farmers for the delivery of public benefits, particularly environmental outcomes. By supporting market prices, CAP payments that are coupled to production and other price support mechanisms maintain artificially high prices for EU consumers. Coupling also distorts the world market and, therefore, ability of farmers in developing countries to benefit from the market. There should be full decoupling for all sectors across the EU (no partially coupled support should remain) in order to remove trade distortion and ensure a level playing field for all EU farmers. Fully decoupled payments free farmers to determine their business activities on the basis of market and consumer demand.

Armed Forces: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Lord Moonie: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many Desert Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles are in service; how many are being procured; and how many have been damaged beyond repair.

Baroness Taylor of Bolton: UK Forces currently have available some 160 Desert Hawk aerial vehicles. A further 60 are on contract. Aerial vehicles that land away from the planned recovery area cannot always be recovered and in such cases it is not possible to determine whether these vehicles were damaged beyond repair. There are currently no air vehicles, which have been recovered, that are damaged to this extent.

Asylum Seekers

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will work with the UK Border Agency to bring the standard of care and consideration of asylum applicants throughout the United Kingdom up to the same standard as the Cardiff regional office.

Lord West of Spithead: The UK Border Agency is committed to ensuring that all asylum applicants receive the same standard of care and consideration, irrespective of which office is handling the case. Various mechanisms are in place to ensure this is the case. Periodically, specific initiatives are trialled first in one region. If successful after evaluation, plans are then made to roll out that initiative across the other regions.

Banking: Iceland

Lord Crisp: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What support they are giving to charities with investments in Icelandic banks.

Lord Myners: The Government have put in place arrangements to ensure that all FSCS-eligible depositors in the Icelandic banks of Landsbanki, Heritable and Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander will receive their money in full. If a charity is eligible to claim compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, it will be entitled to benefit from these arrangements.

British Overseas Territories: Historic Sites

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the definition of an historic site in the context of British Overseas Territories.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The Government do not designate historical sites in the Overseas Territories, and there is no official definition of what constitutes an historical site in the UK or in the Overseas Territories. It is for the Overseas Territories to designate historical sites in line with local legislation.

Children: Second-hand Smoke

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment they have made of the effect on young children of inhaling smoke from cigarettes; and how that is reflected in legislation.

Lord Darzi of Denham: Evidence of the risk to health for children and adults from exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) is well established. In 2004, the Government's independent Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health (SCOTH) advised in their publication Secondhand Smoke: Review of Evidence Since 1998 that:
	Children are at greatest risk in their homes and the evidence strongly links SHS with an increased risk of pneumonia and bronchitis, asthma attacks, middle ear disease, decreased lung function and sudden infant death syndrome. It has also been shown that babies born to mothers who come into contact with SHS have lower birth weights.
	Further evidence around the health risks from SHS exposure, including to children, was set out by the United States surgeon-general in his 2006 report The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke.
	Provisions within the Health Act 2006 (c.28) and subsequent regulations made under powers within the Act require virtually all enclosed work and public places, as well as public transport, to be smoke-free. In July, the department published a report titled Smokefree England: One Year On that highlights high levels of compliance with the law.
	The department recognises that the home and private cars are now the main location for the exposure of both children and adults to SHS. Views from stakeholders on what more could be done to protect children and adults from SHS were sought in the department's consultation on the future of tobacco control, which concluded on 8 September 2008. The department is currently considering the responses to this consultation.
	The SCOTH and Smokefree England reports, and the department's consultation document referred to have already been placed in the Library.

Construction Industry: Testing

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there is a department or agency responsible for testing new sustainable products used in construction and other industries for longevity; and whether sustainable products have to have a guaranteed minimum longevity in accordance with their purpose.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: I am not aware of a department or agency responsible for testing new sustainable products used in construction and other industries for longevity.
	Many methods and sets of criteria for assessing and comparing the sustainability of products are used by government, businesses and others. These criteria vary depending on the product and the assessment being made, and there is no generic requirement for a product to have a guaranteed minimum lifetime.
	Whilst a requirement for an extended product lifetime has the potential to reduce the use of resources in production and the generation of waste, extending product longevity would not necessarily lead to an overall benefit. There would be trade-offs between resource savings from longer life-spans and higher standards (such as greater energy efficiency, improved function, or higher safety standards) associated with newer products.
	Regulation 7 of the England and Wales Building Regulations covers materials and workmanship, and requires that relevant building works must be carried out with proper materials in a workmanlike manner. Neither the regulation nor the associated approved document guidance set out any specific criteria relating to guaranteed levels of longevity.
	The code for sustainable homes, which measures the sustainability of a new home against categories of sustainable design, includes a materials category. Points are awarded for products with lower life cycle (from manufacture to disposal) environmental impact, based on ratings from the Building Research Establishment green guide to specification for specific products or types of construction. One element of the methodology in the green guide is an estimated replacement interval for the product/system being assessed.

Cross-compliance Regulations

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How prescriptive the cross-compliance regulations in England are compared with other European Union countries.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: For the most part, cross compliance is not new. The measures largely re-enforce existing legislation aimed at addressing some of the externalities of the farming industry that farmers should already be meeting. The cost of cross-compliance to farmers is estimated at 1.5 to 2 per cent, on average, of the value of the approximately £1.5 billion single payment. It is an efficient and proportionate way of getting compliance with basic environmental and other law without prosecution and criminalisation
	There are three aspects to cross-compliance:
	specific requirements known as statutory management requirements (SMRs);more general requirements requiring the land to be kept in good agricultural and environmental condition (GAEC); anda requirement to maintain a level of permanent pasture, not included in the crop rotation, for five years or more.
	The requirement to maintain a level of permanent pasture is not currently a cross compliance requirement for individual farmers.
	SMRs were phased in over a three year period, the final tranche—animal welfare—coming into force in January 2007. They comprise a number of articles from 19 EU directives and regulations and all member states must apply the same specific standards.
	The EU regulations allow member states discretion to set GAEC standards that reflect the specific character of the regional or national area concerned, meaning that some GAEC standards will not only differ between member states, but between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, reflecting differing concerns and priorities, or farming practices and geography.
	In order to reduce the burden of compliance with GAEC standards in England, Defra recently reviewed and updated guidance to farmers and as a result produced a substantially simplified handbook that gives detailed requirements and summary information on the standards, which are now grouped and colour coded according to the activities to which they relate. This improved guidance is estimated to have saved farmers around £1 million annually.

Cycling

Lord Berkeley: asked the Chairman of Committees:
	Whether the House of Lords will provide tax-free benefits for staff to purchase bicycles under the cycle-to-work scheme.

Lord Brabazon of Tara: The House of Lords offers an interest-free loan to all staff for the purchase of a bicycle for home to work travel. We are currently assessing the benefits of the new Government tax-free benefit to purchase a bicycle under the cycle-to-work scheme and will make any necessary recommendations in the near future.

Cyprus

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress they have made towards honouring undertakings to end Turkish Cypriot isolation given by the then Prime Minister following the referendum on the Annan plan in 2004; and how the Prime Minister's memorandum of understanding with the President of the Republic of Cyprus signed on 5 June will enhance the rights of Turkish Cypriots in line with Her Majesty's Government's obligation under the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The UK is committed to the EU General and Foreign Affairs Council conclusions of April 2004, reconfirmed in January 2007, aimed at supporting the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community and facilitating a settlement. In this context, the UK will continue to work closely with the EU Commission and presidency to ensure that, through financial aid and trade liberalisation, Turkish Cypriots are brought closer to Europe.
	Ultimately, the Government believe that Turkish Cypriot isolation will only be fully lifted with the achievement of a comprehensive Cyprus settlement to re-unite the island, acceptable to all Cypriots. The current settlement process represents the best chance Cypriots may ever have to solve this long-running problem. We urge both leaders to seize this opportunity.

Defra: Staff

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many persons classified by statute as inspectors have been employed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in each year since 2001; and how many are employed now.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost as no central records are maintained.

Defra: Staff

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether staff of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs may attend activities connected with staff networks in work time; whether they may claim expenses for so doing; how many such networks each member of staff may join; and what is the name and remit of each network.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Defra fully supports the work of all our staff networks. Successful, business-focused staff networks are essential to the successful delivery of our diversity action plans. At a corporate level they work with the diversity team to represent the views of staff in their diversity strand and to drive forward progress on our diversity strategy.
	Part of this support includes allowing staff to attend network events in work time. Each staff network is allocated an annual budget. They agree with their committees how much money is assigned to support agreed events. All networks have to produce business plans which detail their expenditure (this excludes their members travel costs). Staff can join a network of their choice.
	Defra has four networks:the Ethnic Minority Network—(for black and minority ethnic staff);DisNet—the Disability Network;Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Network; andWork-life balance Network
	Defra, alongside many other government departments recognises that staff networks are instrumental not only in providing a forum for mutual support, but also in advising on corporate and departmental functions, policies and practices.

Embryology

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 22 October (WA 109—10), whether the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority considers ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome to be a serious condition; and, if so, whether or not comparing the relevant figures has an impact on the interests of women providing eggs for research.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has informed me that it considers ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) to be a serious complication following stimulation of the ovaries with gonadotrophin drugs.
	It is because the HFEA has regard to the interests of women that it commissioned Professor Adam Balen to update his report on OHSS, as referred to in my Written Answer of 22 July 2008 (WA 246). The report compares the HFEA record of perceived risk of OHSS with larger data sets from across Europe. Therefore, as outlined in my Written Answer of 22 October 2008 (WA109-110), the HFEA is of the view that there would be minimal value in assessing national data on perceived risk against the actual incidence of OHSS in one fertility centre, as reported in Human Fertility (vol.10, issue 3, pages 183-87).

Embryology

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answers by Lord Darzi of Denham on 16 October (WA 67—68) and 22 October (WA 109), why the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has not commented on the stipulations put on licences granted to Sydney IVF Ltd if members of the authority have provided input to the Embryo Research Licensing Committee of the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council regarding the regulation of work involving therapeutic cloning.

Lord Darzi of Denham: As indicated in my Written Answer of 22 October 2008 (WA109), the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has provided information and advice regarding policy issues to the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council. However, the HFEA informs me that it does not see it as its proper function to comment on individual licensing decisions made by regulators or licensing bodies outside the United Kingdom.

Energy: Electricity Generation

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have commissioned any surveys to determine the location of estuaries with the potential for electricity generation using a tidal barrage or a tidal lagoon; and, if so, when each such study is due to finish.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: A Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) study, Tidal Power in the UK, published in October 2007, explored a number of estuaries with the potential for electricity generation using tidal power. These included, among others, the Mersey, Wyre, Thames and Severn estuaries. The SDC report identified the potential for a scheme in the Severn estuary to generate some 5 per cent of the UK's electricity. Following this the Government are now conducting a feasibility study of a tidal power scheme, including the possibility of a tidal lagoon or barrage, in the Severn estuary. The study is due to finish in early 2010 and, subject to internal review, will publish interim findings for public consultation early in the new year.
	Tidal Power in the UK can be found at www.sd-commission.org.uk/pages/tidal-power.html and was funded by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG), the South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA), the Scottish Executive, and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Northern Ireland).
	The North West Development Agency has also provided funding towards feasibility work on tidal power in the Mersey Estuary, available at www.merseytidalpower.co.uk/ and an investigation of the feasibility of tidal power in the East Irish Sea (www.joulecentre.org/research/grants_tapping_the_ tidal_power.htm).
	Further detail on the tidal power resource in the UK can also be found in the UK marine renewable energy atlas, with the tidal power resource estimates available at www.renewables-atlas.info/.

Health: Fruit and Vegetables

Lord Lipsey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What evidence led to their recommendation that everyone should eat five portions of fruit and vegetables each day.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The 5 A DAY message, to eat at least five portions (400g) of a variety of fruit and vegetables each day, was developed based on a recommendation from the World Health Organisation (WHO), following evidence that populations consuming at least 400g of fruit and vegetables per day can reduce the risk of deaths from chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and some cancers by up to 20 per cent. In the United Kingdom, the Department of Health's Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy and Nutrition (COMA) (now called the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN)) also reviewed the evidence and in 1998 endorsed the above recommendation. The 5 A DAY message reflects these recommendations and advises consumers to eat at least five 80g portions (400g) of fruit and vegetables per day.

Health: GP Surgeries

Lord Taylor of Warwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many NHS general practitioner surgeries in Britain have joined incentive schemes which encourage general practitioners to reduce hospital referral rates.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The department is aware that some primary care trusts (PCTs) have local schemes to help ensure that patients get the most clinically appropriate treatment, making sure that people can get high-quality care closer to home and that they are not referred unnecessarily to hospital. This is a matter for individual PCTs and information on the number of such schemes is not collected centrally.
	David Colin-Thome, national director of primary care, wrote to strategic health authority (SHA) chief executives on 24 October 2008 to reinforce the importance of ensuring that any local general practitioner referral incentive schemes promote the most clinically appropriate care. He asked SHAs to be alert to this issue and, where any concerns are raised, satisfy themselves that local schemes improve quality and appropriateness of care for patients. A copy of the letter has been placed in the Library.
	Incentive schemes put in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are the responsibility of the devolved administrations.

Health: Pharmaceutical Prices

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the remarks by Baroness Thornton on 21 October (Official Report, col. 1113), when they expect the further regulations on a statutory pharmaceutical pricing scheme to be laid; and whether, in deciding the timetable for those regulations, they will allow the pharmaceutical industry sufficient time to choose between the new voluntary Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme and the statutory scheme; and
	Whether they will take into account the responses to the forthcoming public consultation on the proposed loss of exclusivity mechanism in the new voluntary pharmaceutical price regulation scheme before amending the Health Service Branded Medicines (Control of Prices and Supply of Information) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/1938); and
	What plans they have to repeal Regulation 3(2)(b) and (c) in relation to therapeutic and international reference pricing when they amend the Health Service Branded Medicines (Control of Prices and Supply of Information) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/1938) and
	What plans they have to ensure that new products that are new active substances will have freedom of pricing on entering the market when they amend the Health Service Branded Medicines (Control of Prices and Supply of Information) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/1938); and
	What plans they have to increase the reference price of branded medicines covered by the Health Service Branded Medicines (Control of Prices and Supply of Information) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/1938) in light of the changed macroeconomic conditions since 29 February.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The department's consultation on a statutory scheme to control the prices of branded National Health Service medicines ended on 25 September 2008. The Government are currently considering the responses to that consultation and reflecting on further discussions it has held with the industry. Further announcements will be made once that process is complete.
	There are no plans to increase pharmaceutical prices in response to the recent change in macroeconomic conditions. The pharmaceutical industry generates significant cash flows, and does not generally rely on debt to finance operations1. The pharmaceutical industry is not expected to face increased difficulty in financing operations as a result of restrictions in credit markets.
	References
	1 Myers SC, Shyum-Sunder L. "Measuring pharmaceutical industry risk and the cost-of-capital" in Helms RB (Ed) Competitive Strategies in the Pharmaceutical Industry. Washington, D.C.: AEI Press, 1996: 208-37.

House of Lords: Information

Lord Norton of Louth: asked the Chairman of Committees:
	Further to his Written Answer on 20 March (WA 61), what progress has been made in ensuring the wider dissemination of the booklet The Work of the House of Lords to visitors to the Palace of Westminster; and how many copies have been distributed in the Palace since February.

Lord Brabazon of Tara: To date 6,500 copies have been distributed internally, of which 500 have been distributed at Peers' Entrance and Peers' Lobby. Nearly 60,000 copies have been distributed externally to date and further distributions will take place.

Housing: Energy Conservation

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What grants are available to encourage energy conservation by owners of houses with (a) no foundations, (b) no cavity walls or (c) little or no loft space, and what further initiatives they plan to take to increase the number of people employed in energy conservation work.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Finding innovative, cost effective and attractive ways of insulating hard to treat homes will be core to both our carbon saving and fuel poverty alleviation ambitions. The carbon emissions reduction target (CERT), although specifically designed to deliver carbon savings as cost effectively as possible, includes incentives to encourage suppliers to promote more costly measures appropriate for hard-to-treat homes, such as solid wall insulation. This has resulted in some 40,000 solid-wall homes benefiting from insulation in the past three years, with a further 100,000 expected to be treated by 2011.
	There will also be a focus on improving the energy efficiency of hard-to-treat properties, including via solid wall insulation, through the green neighbourhoods scheme, announced by Hilary Benn in April; and the new £350 million community energy saving obligation on energy suppliers and electricity generators announced by the Prime Minister on 11 September.
	We are working closely with energy suppliers and the insulation industry to maximise insulation activity under CERT this winter. There are now some 4,000 people able to carry out insulation work, plus support staff—an increase of almost 500 staff since April 2008. The Prime Minister's announcement on 11 September for a £1 billion homes energy saving programme will also increase the need for people employed in energy conservation work. The new energy efficiency employment (EEE) initiative, also announced in September, will match people made redundant from the contracting house building industry with employment opportunities in insulating homes and businesses and improving energy efficiency across the country. The first stage of the initiative, when it is launched at the end of November, will provide access to information and training that will help more people to secure insulation related jobs. Similar routes will be developed to improve access to other energy related jobs.

India: Religious Freedom

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they are making, or will make, to the Government of India concerning the recent introduction of laws in a number of states that make it difficult for citizens to leave Hinduism.

Lord Malloch-Brown: While anti-conversion laws are an internal matter for the Indian authorities, officials from our High Commission in Delhi continue to monitor religious freedom in India and have previously raised the issue with the Indian authorities.
	A wide range of issues including minority rights and religious freedom were raised at the last round of the EU-India human rights dialogue which took place in New Delhi on 15 February. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials also discussed issues of religious freedom with the Indian National Human Rights Commission on 15 April. The Government will continue to work with the Government of India in supporting efforts to tackle human rights issues.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What changes they are considering, or have recently considered, to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; what is their estimate of how long it would take to bring into force any changes; and what is their approach to reform of the covenant.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The Government are not considering, nor have they recently considered, any changes to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. We do not consider that the covenant needs to be reformed.

Italy: Roma

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will make representations to the European Commission opposing the Commission's endorsement of the Government of Italy's proposal to fingerprint all Roma living in Italy.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The Government are concerned about the continuing exclusion of Roma in many European states and particularly in Italy earlier this year. However, the Italian Government had amended their original proposal, so that all citizens would require fingerprinting when applying for a new identity document. The Government and the European Commission accept that the amended proposal no longer discriminates against the Roma ethnic group. Our ambassador in Rome has been assured by the Italian Minister of the Interior that his Government's main objective is to raise the living standards of Roma in Italy, and in particular to help get Roma children off the streets and into schools.

Marine Bill

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What consultation is planned, and what has been undertaken, with dog owners and dog charities on the Marine Bill.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We have held discussions with the Kennel Club about the coastal access provisions in the Marine Bill which aim to improve public access to the English coast for walkers including for those who may be accompanied by a dog.
	We have no plans to specifically consult dog owners but Defra undertook a public consultation on the draft Bill where members of the public were welcome to comment on the proposals. A summary of the responses has been published on Defra's website.
	We also intend to undertake a public consultation on the proposed contents of an Order to amend the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 as it will apply to coastal land. I expect this to include proposals regarding the restrictions on dogs.

Mauritania

Viscount Waverley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they are taking to aid the restoration of democracy in Mauritania; and what impediments there are.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The Government are working closely with our European partners to press for the restoration of democracy in Mauritania following the coup d'etat on 6 August. The Cotonou agreement covers political relations, trade and development co-operation between the EU and 78 Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, and is a central focus of our current work on Mauritania. Article 96 of the agreement provides for appropriate measures when the essential and fundamental elements of the agreement (such as democracy) have been infringed. The EU wrote to the Mauritanian regime in September to initiate the process and met with Mauritanian officials on 20 October to discuss the procedures. The Mauritanians failed to provide acceptable proposals for the restoration of democracy, and were given one month to do so. Should the Mauritanians fail to provide acceptable proposals within this timeframe, consultations will be closed and the EU will consider appropriate measures including targeted sanctions. These measures may cover any aspect of the EU-ACP relationship (including development assistance, trade, financial and economic co-operation, political dialogue, humanitarian and emergency assistance).
	The UK is also working with other international partners to try to secure a return to democracy in Mauritania. NATO allies suspended military activities to be carried out with Mauritania in September, and are reviewing activities on a case by case basis.

Mauritania

Viscount Waverley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have a target date for restoring democracy in Mauritania.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The Government condemned the coup in Mauritania on 6 August and called for the release of the president and the restoration of democratic institutions, and we have been working with EU partners to press for the restoration of democracy in Mauritania. On 20 October, the EU met with representatives from the Mauritanian regime to discuss procedures under Article 96 of the Cotonou agreement, which provides for appropriate measures when the essential and fundamental elements of the agreement (such as democracy) have been infringed. Mauritanian proposals did not meet EU requirements, and they were given one month to provide the EU with proposals for the restoration of the constitutional order which satisfy EU requirements. If the Mauritanians fail to do this within a month the EU will close consultations and appropriate measures, including possible targeted sanctions, will be considered. These measures may cover any aspect of the EU-Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) relationship, but there will be an analysis of their impact, and humanitarian and emergency assistance should not be affected.
	The Government hope that the Mauritanians will produce acceptable proposals within the timeframe given in order to move towards the swift restoration of democracy in Mauritania.

Ministerial Code

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Ministerial Code permits Ministers to receive pay from outside bodies.

Lord Patel of Bradford: Guidance on Ministers' private interests is set out in Section 7 of the Ministerial Code, copies of which are available in the House Library. A list of Ministers' relevant interests is currently being assembled and will be published as soon as the information is ready.

Northern Ireland Office

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Northern Ireland Office and its bodies apply the concepts of equality and parity of esteem for the two main cultures in Northern Ireland, as required by the Belfast agreement of 1998; and how that is measured.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The Northern Ireland Office and its agencies are subject to anti-discrimination law in Northern Ireland and to the provisions of Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, which requires public authorities carrying out functions in Northern Ireland to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity between a wide range of groups, specified in Section 75(1), including persons of different religious belief or political opinion. They are also obliged to have regard to the desirability of promoting good relations between persons of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group.
	Section 76 of the Act makes it unlawful for a public authority carrying out functions in Northern Ireland to discriminate against a person or class of person on the grounds of religious belief or political opinion.
	Monitoring arrangements are provided by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland and the courts.

Northern Ireland Office: Bonuses

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What bonuses were paid to senior civil servants in the Northern Ireland Office this year; and for what reasons.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The Northern Ireland Office operates a bonus scheme for SCS staff which is an integral part of the pay arrangements in operation in all Whitehall and Northern Ireland departments. Bonuses are awarded for in-year performance against objectives. Details are set out in the following table.
	
		
			 Grade Number of Staff Receiving Bonus Amount 
			 SCS 42 £317,200

Northern Ireland Office: Bonuses

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How bonuses are calculated in the Northern Ireland Office.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The Northern Ireland Office operates three bonus schemes.
	Directors (senior Civil Service pay band 2) have delegated authority to award special bonuses in their business areas throughout the reporting year.
	Annual performance-related bonuses for staff below the senior Civil Service are part of the NIO's overall pay arrangements. The bonus levels are reviewed by the departmental board each year. Individual bonus recommendations are made by line managers and moderated by panels across the department under the supervision of more senior managers.
	Bonuses for SCS staff are calculated on the basis of the Government's response to the recommendations of the Senior Salaries Review Body. Individual bonus recommendations are made by line managers and these are moderated by a number of remuneration committees with the involvement of a non-executive director.

Northern Ireland Office: Staffing

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many employees in the Northern Ireland Office are over 65 years old.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The Northern Ireland Office currently employs two members of staff who are over 65 years old.

Northern Ireland: Equality and Parity

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Tunnicliffe on 21 July (WA 216) concerning grants to Irish and Ulster Scots cultures in Northern Ireland, whether the grants to the Irish Language Broadcasting Fund are in keeping with the concept of equality and parity in the Belfast agreement of 1998.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given on 21 July (Official Report, col. WA 216).

Northern Ireland: Human Rights Commission

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answers by the Lord President (Baroness Royall of Blaisdon) on 21 October (WA 96—97 and WA 99) concerning Questions to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission or the Police Service of Northern Ireland in Fermanagh, why in some cases they ask an organisation to respond directly to the Question and in other cases they suggest the questioner contacts the organisation directly; and what are the criteria involved in deciding how an Answer is handled.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: Ministers will respond substantively on statutory policy or corporate sponsorship matters relating to public bodies independent of government. Where questions relate to operational matters that are the responsibility of that organisation and not the responsibility of Ministers, the answer ought to come from that organisation.
	Where questions relate to matters for which the Chief Constable is responsible, Ministers will ask the PSNI to write to the questioner. In the case of other non-departmental bodies such as the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, Ministers will refer the questioner to the body in order to obtain operational information.
	In all cases where a question is referred to another organisation, a copy of the reply will be placed in the Official Report and the Library of the House.

Parades: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 14 July (WA 121) concerning £1,200 spent by the Northern Ireland Parades Commission on hospitality, how people were selected for hospitality; by whom; and who were the people.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: This is an operational matter for the Parades Commission. I have asked the Parades Commission secretary to reply to the noble Lord directly, and will arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House and the Official Report.

Parliamentary Ombudsman

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Patel of Bradford on 22 October (WA 114), whether they will arrange for information about their responses to recommendations of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration to be held centrally, rather than solely within each individual department.

Lord Patel of Bradford: Individual departments are responsible for taking forward the Parliamentary Ombudsman's recommendations.
	There are no plans to collate this information centrally.

Piracy

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to deal with the piracy occurring off the coast of Somalia.

Lord Malloch-Brown: We continue to work with our EU and NATO partners on measures to implement United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1816 and 1838. In September, we supported the establishment of an EU cell that aims to co-ordinate military escorts to World Food Programme shipping. We also support EU planning for a counterpiracy naval operation off the coast of Somalia, and on 14 October the EU Political and Security Committee decided to accept the offer made by the UK to provide the operation commander and the operation headquarters at Northwood. The key tasks of the operation will be to ensure the safe delivery of World Food Programme and other vital humanitarian deliveries to Somalia, but also to deter attacks on European and other shipping.
	A formal decision from the EU member states to allow planning for the operation to proceed to the next stage is expected in the next 10 days. We have made clear that the UK offer is conditional on sufficient forces being generated for the mission to be effective. Current estimates are for the operation to be launched towards the end of 2008, probably in December, once force generation and detailed planning is complete.

Piracy

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What powers they have under international law for preventing piracy, including boarding suspect vessels in international or coastal waters, rescuing captured ships, arresting pirates and handing them over to appropriate jurisdictions; and whether such powers apply to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The Government have powers to act against piracy under Article 105 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides that any warship may seize a pirate ship or aircraft, and arrest persons and seize the property on board.
	Under the international law of the sea, piracy only occurs on the high seas, or a place outside the jurisdiction of any state. The high seas would include parts of the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Piracy on the high seas is a crime of universal jurisdiction; the alleged pirate may be charged, tried and punished by any nation into whose jurisdiction he enters.
	Under international law, piratical acts in territorial seas come within the coastal state's jurisdiction. States, therefore, may only take action against pirates in territorial seas if authorised by the coastal state, and in accordance with its domestic law.
	There are separate international instruments which call on states to outlaw other related acts, such as armed robbery at sea, most notably the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation.

Piracy

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether their powers to counter piracy are sufficient; and what plans they have to strengthen the powers, in view of the number of ships already captured by pirates.

Lord Malloch-Brown: We have assessed that we do not have sufficient modem law enforcement powers for counter-piracy operations. The current draft legislation programme for 2008-09 will address this, and will provide a clear statutory authority for naval, police and customs officers to board and seize pirate ships.

Population

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Oldham on 14 July (WA 125) concerning the population of the United Kingdom, why the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Oldham on 13 May (WA 130) did not include the figures, rather than referring to a website.

Lord Patel of Bradford: The Written Answer of 13 May followed the then standard practice of the Office for National Statistics for dealing with Parliamentary Questions which asked for statistical information that was already available in published form. This was to refer the Member to the published source rather than reproduce the figures. Cabinet Office Ministers have since sought advice from the Leaders of both Houses and have asked the National Statistician to adopt a different practice. In future where a Member asks for a small amount of statistical information that is already published, the Written Answer will include the figures as well as referring the Member to the published source and where it can be found on the UK Statistics Authority website.

Public Appointments

Baroness Howe of Idlicote: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether targets agreed with each of the 15 government departments listed in the Cabinet Office document Public Bodies: Opening Up Public Appointments 2002—05 for the representation of women in public appointments were achieved by 2005; and where and when the results were published; and
	Whether targets agreed with each of the 15 government departments listed in the Cabinet Office document Public Bodies: Opening Up Public Appointments 2002—05 for the representation of ethnic minorities in public appointments were achieved by 2005; and where and when the results were published; and
	Whether targets agreed with each of the 15 government departments listed in the Cabinet Office document Public Bodies: Opening Up Public Appointments 2002—05 for the representation of disabled people in public appointments were achieved by 2005; and where and when the results were published; and
	What are the current targets for public appointments by gender, ethnicity, and disability for each government department; and when they are expected to be achieved; and
	How many and what percentage of current appointments by each government department are (a) women, (b) from an ethnic minority, and (c) disabled; and what is the current rate of progress of diversity in public appointments; and
	How many (a) women, (b) disabled people, and (c) persons from an ethnic minority act as chairs and chief executives of publicly appointed bodies; and
	What are the targets for the number of chairs and chief executives of publicly appointed bodies who are (a) women, (b) disabled, and (c) from an ethnic minority.

Lord Patel of Bradford: The Government are committed to increasing diversity on the boards of public bodies. The gender equality public service agreement contained a specific target that by Match 2008 a clear majority of departments should have over 40 per cent of women in public appointments for which they are responsible. The Government Equalities Office will make an assessment of performance against this target in its autumn performance report.
	The Cabinet Office publishes an annual report on public appointments. This includes information on the numbers of women, members of ethnic minority groups and disabled people appointed to the boards of public bodies, The information is broken down by department. The latest report—Public Bodies 2007—can be downloaded from www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/public /bodies.asp. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Individual departments publish more detailed information on the public bodies and public appointments for which they are directly responsible—including information on chairs and chief executives.
	The Government will shortly be announcing new government-wide targets to increase diversity on the boards of public bodies.

Public Appointments

Baroness Howe of Idlicote: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the Cabinet Office guidance, Making and Managing Public Appointments was last updated; and what changes were made to the sections on diversity and equal opportunities.

Lord Patel of Bradford: The Cabinet Office guidance, Making and Managing Public Appointments was last updated in 2006. The changes made included new guidance on the application of the Equal Pay Act to office holders. A copy of the latest version of the guidance is in the Library of the House. It can also be downloaded from www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/public/ appointments.asp.

Questions for Written Answer: Unanswered Question

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why they have not answered the Question for Written Answer tabled on 5 June by Lord Laird (HL3998); and when they will answer it.

Lord Malloch-Brown: Written Parliamentary Question 346340606 was delayed because of an administrative error. A reply will issue shortly. I apologise for the delay.

Russia: Finance

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment they have made of whether financial difficulties experienced by Russian businessmen with commercial interests in the United Kingdom will affect employment levels in the United Kingdom, if the Government of Russia do not offer them emergency aid.

Lord Myners: Russian investment in UK business is small relative to other economies investing in the UK. The effect of any financial difficulties experienced by Russian businessmen with commercial interests in the UK on the total level of employment would therefore be expected to be minimal.

Security and Intelligence Agencies

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proportion of the central bid made to HM Treasury as part of the Government's 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review on behalf of the security and intelligence agencies is allocated to development of and ongoing expenditure on the Scope 1 and 2 projects.

Lord Patel of Bradford: It has been the longstanding practice of successive Governments not to publish budgetary data concerning the security and intelligence agencies below the level of the single intelligence account.
	In respect of information requested concerning the costs associated with the SCOPE programme, I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given in the other place to the honourable Member for Lewes (Mr Baker) on the 6 November 2006 (Official Report, Commons, col. 862W).

Security and Intelligence Agencies

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether development of the Scope 2 project for the security and intelligence agencies has been suspended; if so, why; and how much the project has cost to date.

Lord Patel of Bradford: We have informed our contractor for Phase 2 of SCOPE that a different approach to the delivery of those capabilities is needed. As a result we are seeking to discuss the implications with the contractor. The details are of course commercially confidential.
	In respect of information requested concerning the costs associated with the SCOPE programme, I refer to the Answers given in the other place to the honourable Member for Lewes on 6 November 2006 (Official Report, Commons, col. 862W).

Security and Intelligence Agencies

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether adequate and appropriate procedures are in place to prevent data loss of national security and intelligence information from within the Scope project; and
	Whether security of Phases 1 and 2 of the Scope project, in terms of national security and intelligence data, is sufficiently robust.

Lord Patel of Bradford: It is not the practice to publish the details of intelligence-related programmes, but I can assure the noble Lord that the security of systems of this type is paramount.

St Andrews Agreement

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President (Baroness Royall of Blaisdon) on 29 October (WA 177) concerning the St Andrews agreement, whether the suggested date for the devolution of criminal justice and policing by May 2008 was an aspiration or an undertaking.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given on 29 October (Official Report, col. WA 177).

UN: Human Rights Committee

Lord Rana: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they intend to take to ensure gender diversity on the United Nations Human Rights Committee in light of the all-male list of candidates elected by state parties on 4 September 2008 in New York.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The UK considers that the primary criteria for candidates for the Human Rights Committee are the qualities set out in the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). These do not include a gender element. But as a matter of good practice, the UK does consider that achieving a gender balance in the committee's membership is good for the committee and its work. The UK was therefore disappointed that no female candidates were put forward in the ballot for the last election. The committee has five female members.

Water Primrose

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the extent of the escape and naturalisation of water primrose (Ludwigia species) in the United Kingdom; whether they have assessed the environmental risks from the spread of that plant; and whether they have issued advice on its sale and propagation and its eradication where it is naturalised.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: There are currently a small number of confirmed populations of water primrose, Ludwigia grandiflora, (a non-native invasive plant species) in Great Britain, which are believed to be small and manageable at present. A risk assessment of Ludwigia species has been carried out and will be published on the Non-native Species Secretariat website following peer review. It indicates a risk of major impacts and a moderate risk of spread. In line with the invasive non-native species framework strategy for Great Britain we recognise that a rapid response is therefore necessary to eradicate the species before it becomes established in Great Britain. This summer the Environment Agency began an eradication programme in partnership with land owners and Defra, which will continue into next year.
	We have commissioned the production of identification sheets for invasive non-native species including one for water primrose. This will be published on the Non-Native Species Secretariat website shortly and promoted more widely in due course. A factsheet including management information is also available on the website.
	Ludwigia species were amongst those proposed for addition to Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and for a ban on sale order, both in the recent Defra and Welsh Assembly Government consultation and in the separate Scottish Executive consultation. No decisions have been made as yet.

Weeds

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 21 October (WA 103), in the case of clearance notices issued by Natural England, whether any cost to the taxpayer is incurred by the employment of contractors to clear weeds.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Where it is necessary to employ a contractor to clear weeds, there is a small cost to the taxpayer. However, as far as possible we try to recover any costs from the occupier of the land against whom the notice is issued.